The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
